Breast Screening

The Breast Screening Service is part of the National Breast Screening Programme and provides a free breast screening service for eligible well women throughout the Southern Trust.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. To do this, an x-ray is taken of each breast (mammogram). Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment.

Who do we screen?

Women aged 50 to 70Women aged between 50 and 70 years old are invited for breast screening every three years. If women are registered with a GP, they will automatically be invited for a breast screening appointment before their 53rd birthday. We invite each GP practice for screening in turn, so women will not necessarily get their invitation in the year that they turn 50.

If you are over 50 and unsure when you will be called for your screening appointment, contact the Breast Screening Office, Tel02838397020.

Women over 70Although women over 70 years old are not automatically invited to attend breast screening, they are entitled to be screened. Women over 70 years of age will need to contact the screening office every three years to book their appointment.

Women over 70 years of age are more at risk of developing breast cancer than younger women, so it is still important to continue being screened every three years.

If you are over 70 years of age and would like to book your mammogram, please contact the Breast Screening Office, Tel 02838397020.

Special requirementsIf you have a disability or use a wheelchair, you may need a longer appointment. Please contact the Breast Screening Office to let us know.

Please also contact the office if you have had a mammogram in the last six months:

• Breast Screening Office

• Tel:028 38 397020

If English is not your first language and you need a translator please contact the screening office.

Your appointment date
When you receive your letter, you will be given a date, time and location for your appointment. Please contact us (number above) if:
• your appointment time is not convenient for you
• you donotwish to attend your screening appointment. This will allow someone else to use the appointment slot

Mobile Units

In the SHSCT screening is provided on one of our two specialist digital mobile units. They rotate between, Lurgan Hospital, Dromalane Newry, Armagh Community Hospital, Banbridge Health Centre and South Tyrone Hospitals. Details of the dates and locations are available atwww.cancerscreening.hscni.net

75% of women attend their appointment but there is still room for improvement.

“We want to save as many lives as possible by encouraging early detection of breast cancer, so to help make the process much more convenient and accessible to women, we are bringing the units to more community locations throughout the Trust area.”Dr Linda Johnston - Director of Screening

Please note: The mobile screening units are very compact, therefore only if it is essential may a friend/ relative accompany you. Also please avoid bringing children onto the mobile unit.

An information video is available. You can view a Public Health Agency video to see what to expect when attending for breast screening,here

Assessment
Sometimes the mammograms do not give enough information and a further examination is needed before we can decide on a result. If this is the case you will receive an appointment to attend our assessment clinic at the Glenanne Unit Craigavon Area Hospital.

Approximately 4 out of 100 women who have breast screening will be asked to come back to our clinic for a further examination. This additional appointment is part of routine screening and for most women invited back nothing of concern will be found. Any women invited to an assessment clinic will be able to speak to a member of staff by telephone02838612086if they want more information before attending.

Screening reviewIn 2012, an independent review took place into the effectiveness of breast screening. The Independent Breast Screening Review panel concluded that screening reduces breast cancer deaths. You can see the report and its findingshere